Push is on to get electric taxis rolling

Austin city officials are developing rules that could clear the way for battery-powered golf cart taxis and other low-speed electric vehicles to operate downtown.

The issue is being debated by Austin-based Capitol Cruisers LLC, which wants to run a taxi service, and Austin Transportation Department officials, who in May opposed the business, citing safety concerns.

But this month, the Urban Transportation Committee and city council members asked the department to create broader criteria to regulate such vehicles for hire, which generally travel below 25 miles per hour.

The state no longer regulates the vehicles and passed the authority to cities, Austin Transportation Department spokeswoman Karla Villalon said.